Follow the Dinosaur Trail and bring to life the amazing jigsaw pieces of Australia’s prehistoric heritage. Be amazed by the absolute contrasting beauty of Lawn Hill National Park ‘Boodjamulla’ and the famous mining story of Mt Isa.

Day 1: Sunday (D)

Arrive in Longreach to meet your host from Outback Aussie Tours. Optional afternoon touring at the Stockman’s Hall of Fame or Qantas Founder’s Museum (at an additional cost) or rest and relax. This afternoon soak up the Sunset Spectacular Sunset Cruise and dinner. Enjoy our timeless waterhole and majestic floodplains as the colours fade into starry outback skies. What a welcome to the Outback! Overnight Longreach.

Day 2: Monday (B,L,D)

Depart Longreach and realise the freedom of the vast open plains and Coolibah lined creeks, a classic outback experience. On arrival at Winton, explore the Australian Age of Dinosaurs Display where you will encounter amazing treasures of a lost world. Browse the precious collection of the worlds finest fossilised plants which were food to the huge 4 legged giants of our planet’s history. After checking into your accommodation, you will be entertained by the multi-award winning Waltzing Matilda Centre, the only museum in the world dedicated to a song.

After lunch we head out to Belmont Station where the bones of ‘Elliott the Saurapod’, one of Australia’s largest Dinosaurs were found, along with many others that have been unearthed over the past 5 years. See history in the making as you explore first hand the dig site right through to the preparation of these valuable prehistoric bones. Join the dig team for a BBQ prior to returning to accommodation at Winton.

Day 3: Tuesday (B,L,D)

Today we travel to scenic Carisbrooke Station, a Land-care award winning sheep and cattle property. Our tour of the station takes us to breathtaking lookouts on the colourful Cory’s Range, a 10km scenic drive overlooking the Three Sisters rock formation and the Williams Valley. Next we travel to the recently re-developed Lark Quarry and its 3,300 prehistoric Dinosaur foot prints. Step back in time into the land of dinosaurs, temperate forests, huge lake-lands and billiard table topography. Observe the fascinating preservation of the only recorded dinosaur stampede on the planet. With a mid-afternoon return to your accommodation in Winton you will have time to relax before dinner. Overnight Winton.

Day 4: Wednesday (B,L,D)

Continuing along the Dinosaur Trail to the Flinder’s Discovery Centre in Hughenden where the remnants of an Inland Sea reveal many secrets. Meet “Hughie” the Muttaburrasaurus who was washed into the Inland Sea along with others, being preserved in time by layers of sediment slowly filling inland seas. Heading west from Hughenden we arrive at Richmond in time for lunch at Kronosaurus Korner - an Award Winning, world recognised fossil museum. Observe these spectacular marine fossils, there are a large number of displays and exhibits.

A highlight of your time spent in Richmond is the opportunity to visit the fossil sites at the quarries, just a few km’s out of town. You can fossick for your own piece of the last great inland sea fossils and have them identified by the resident Palaeontologist, for an unforgetable momento and unique souvenir of your marine fossil experience. Check into your accommodation with time to relax or enjoy a stroll down to Lake Freddy Tritton before dinner. Overnight Richmond.

Day 5: Thursday (B,L,D)

Today we head north west via Julia Creek to, the Burke & Wills Junction and Gregory Downs arriving at Adel’s Grove (known as the Frenchman’s Gardens featuring a stand of exotic trees established in the 1930’s) for 2 nights. After check in, enjoy time to freshen up or take a stroll along the crystal waters of Lawn Hill Creek prior to happy hour for sunset at Harry’s Lookout. Enjoy dinner at the lodge in preparation for the amazing Lawn Hill Gorge tomorrow. Overnight Adel’s Grove.

Day 6: Friday (B,L,D)

Today after a restful night we set out to experience spectacular Lawn Hill Gorge ‘Boodjamulla’ National Park. Enjoy an optional walk to the unforgettable Island Stack, carved out by the prehistoric forces of Lawn Hill Creek, to admire panoramic views that the gorge system provides. Mid morning get up close and personal as you paddle your canoe through this picturesque gorge. An optional swim at Indarri Falls refreshes you for the return journey. Enjoy a picnic lunch amongst the towering red pillars steeped in Aboriginal legend of ‘Boodjamulla’. Relax back at Adel’s Grove before dinner with yarn sharing between your fellow travellers. Overnight Adel’s Grove.

Day 7: Saturday (B,L,D)

This morning discover the World Heritage listed Riversleigh Fossil Fields. where the fossilised bones of animals, that occupied this area 20 million years ago have been unearthed. Your driver/guide will help bring alive your imagination as the evidence revealed by scientists is interpreted to piece together this huge jigsaw puzzle, giving you an understanding of the lost world of the Mega Fauna. Contemplate this journey of discovery as you relax for morning tea by the refreshing crystal clear waters of the Gregory River before continuing through Riversleigh Station to cross the picturesque O’Shannessy River. Lunch will be a picnic at one of the shady, tranquil creek crossings enroute to Mt Isa, where you will check into your accommodation for 2 nights. Overnight Mt Isa.

Day 8: Sunday (B,L,D)

This morning is dedicated to the unique story of Mt Isa mining from the early days through to modern times. Starting with a visit to the Underground Hospital and Historic Tent House, meeting some of the local volunteers for morning tea. We then explore the multi award-winning Outback at Isa Centre where our first adventure is the remarkable ‘Hard Times Underground Mine Tour’. Experience the history of mining as guides share stories of the good times and the hard times encountered working deep below the surface. Get up close to the machinery and try your hand at the air-leg drill, feel the earth rumble with the firing of the blast face. These magnificient experiences will stay with you forever. After an incredible morning immersed in the mining world enjoy a leisurely lunch before an afternoon visit to the Riversleigh Fossil Interpretive Centre, with an amazing re-creation of the eco system of plants to animals from the lost world of Australia’s Mega Fauna history. Witness the process of extracting fragile bones from limestone rock during a tour of the centres laboratory. Return to your accommodation to freshen up before happy hour at the city Lookout. Appreciate the incredible enormity of the Isa’s rugged landscape and sheer overwhelming presence of one of Australia’s famous mines as the sun sets and the night lights of the mines and city contrast with the spectacular after glow of the sky against the Selwyn Ranges. Overnight at Mt Isa.

Day 9: Monday (B,L,D)

An informative morning with a Mt Isa surface mine tour learning all about the mining processes through to end product. (PLEASE NOTE: Closed in shoes must be worn on this tour). Following the tour enjoy some leisure time shopping or exploring some of the other interesting features of Mt Isa City, prior to boarding the Inlander for your rail journey to Townsville, or your flight to Townsville or Brisbane.

PACKAGE INCLUDES:

MOST MEALS (B= Breakfast, MT= Morning Tea, L= Lunch, AT= Afternoon Tea, D=Dinner)

Subject to availability & change. Min of 10 people required to operate. Valid from April through to September 2008